leave it at that, the grinding of teeth. cajoled and threatened, lice along the skin. an oily thickness, evermore, never said. leave it. alone and beckoning, shrill ring in the night. a certain kind of madness, parched lips. she once told me. he once promised. rewrite, remake, return. he once told me. she kept all her promises. i beat myself into street lamps and not one wish for incredible violence comes true. empty penance. leave it at that.